Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign data storage solutionsEasy
A small business needs to host a legacy line-of-business application that requires a shared file system accessible by multiple virtual machines (VMs) running Windows Server. The application generates moderate I/O and requires high availability. The solution must be fully managed and compatible with existing SMB protocols. Which Azure storage solution should be used?
- AAzure Files (Standard)
- BAzure NetApp Files
- CAzure Blob Storage (Block Blobs)
- DAzure Disk Storage (Data Disks)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Azure Files (Standard)
Azure Files provides fully managed cloud file shares that are accessible via the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, making it ideal for lift-and-shift scenarios for legacy applications requiring a shared file system across multiple Windows VMs.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Azure NetApp Files offers enterprise-grade performance and features but is typically used for high-performance, demanding workloads (e.g., SAP HANA, HPC) and would be overkill and more expensive for moderate I/O.
- C. Azure Blob Storage stores unstructured object data and does not provide a hierarchical file system accessible via SMB for VMs.
- D. Azure Disk Storage provides disks for individual VMs, not a shared file system accessible by multiple VMs simultaneously.
Azure Files
Fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry-standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, Network File System (NFS) protocol, and Azure Files REST API.
- Supports SMB 3.0 and NFS 4.1
- Can be mounted concurrently by cloud or on-premises deployments
- Offers Standard (HDD) and Premium (SSD) tiers
Memory trick: Azure Files: 'F' for 'Files' for all your shared 'F'iles.